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Category: How To

Our How-To section will guide you through various crafting and decoration projects along with a number of helpful hints on other topics. Whether you’re preparing for a new business venture, planning for the holidays, or just decorating for fun, you’ll find helpful tutorials and guidelines here. We add several topics each week, so check back often!

Paper Mart is proud to serve a wide audience across the United States and Canada, and we do our best to accommodate all of your crafting interests and business packaging needs alike. Our talented staff is always looking for input from our customers, so please do not hesitate to comment on our posts or interact with us on social media. We’re pleased to have such a wonderful, diverse customer base and we hope our How-To section is helpful in making whatever tasks you have planned more enjoyable.

Transform Paper into Perfect Presents: How to Make a Gift Bag Out of Wrapping Paper

Running out of gift bags at the worst possible moment is frustrating. You have the perfect present, beautiful wrapping paper, but no bag to match. The good news? You don’t need to make an emergency store run. Learning how to make a gift bag out of wrapping paper saves money, reduces waste, and gives you complete creative control over your gift presentation. This comprehensive guide walks you through creating beautiful gift bags from scratch using simple materials you already have. Whether you’re wrapping odd shaped gifts, coordinating Christmas wrapping, or simply want a custom size, this skill transforms how you approach gift wrapping. Master this technique once, and you’ll never stress about gift bag shortages again.

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What is Washi Tape? What is it Used For? All About Washi Tape!

Washi tape has become incredibly popular in the crafting community. It has changed from a Japanese specialty item into an essential supply for DIY lovers, scrapbookers, and home decorators everywhere. This colorful, patterned paper tape offers many creative options. You can use it to personalize laptops and notebooks or to make beautiful wall art that won’t damage your surfaces.

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How To Make A Bow Out Of Wrapping Paper (Plus One Giant Bow Trick)

Transform leftover wrapping paper into beautiful bows that can compete with expensive store-bought ribbon. This guide shows you various ways to create paper bows, from simple gift toppers to large showstoppers that make any present memorable. Whether you’re using Christmas wrapping paper, cute wrapping paper patterns, or scraps from your craft supplies, you’ll learn to make bows that look professional while saving money and cutting down on waste.

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How to Send Chocolate in the Mail Without It Melting

TL;DR: Sending chocolate in the mail requires careful planning to prevent melting and ensure your sweet treats arrive in perfect condition. Learning how to send chocolate in the mail successfully means understanding temperature control, choosing the right insulated box, and timing your shipment strategically. Whether you’re mailing chocolate as a gift or shipping products for your business, protecting chocolate from melting during transit involves using gel packs, selecting appropriate packaging materials like mail chocolate boxes, and considering temperature-sensitive shipping methods. This guide covers everything from choosing between milk chocolate, white chocolate, and cocoa butter-based products to understanding when chocolate products are most vulnerable as they rise to the surface in warm conditions.

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How to Ship Gift Boxes and Baskets Without Them Arriving Crushed or Cringey

TD;DR: Learning how to ship a gift basket and how to wrap a box properly ensures your thoughtful presents arrive in perfect condition at their destination. Whether you’re mailing a gift basket filled with treats or using mailer boxes for smaller items, understanding the right techniques for package boxes protects your carefully curated box gift during transit. This comprehensive guide covers everything from how to gift wrap a box with elegant presentation touches to selecting appropriate mailing boxes, choosing between FedEx and USPS for delivery, understanding pricing and shipping rates, and using proper packing material like packing peanuts and corrugated cardboard inserts. When you send gifts—especially during holiday shipping seasons or internationally—smart shipping options and pro packaging techniques make all the difference between a delightful unboxing experience and a delivery disaster.

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How to Switch from Plastic to Paper Bags – A Step-by-Step Guide

With the CA bag ban 2026 fast approaching, every California business that currently uses plastic checkout or takeout bags needs a clear transition plan. The good news is that switching to recycled paper bags is straightforward when you take the right steps, and the benefits go beyond compliance.

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How to Ship a Desktop Computer/PC in 5 Simple Steps!

TL;DR: Learning how to ship a PC and how to ship a computer safely requires careful preparation to protect valuable components during transit. Whether you’re figuring out how to ship a computer monitor separately or sending an entire desktop system, understanding proper packing techniques with the right cardboard boxes and moving boxes prevents costly damage from moisture, impact, and shifting during delivery. This comprehensive guide covers everything from selecting appropriately sized boxes and using anti-static foam protection to choosing between FedEx, USPS, or other shipping companies for reliable delivery. Understanding shipping costs, using appropriate packing material like air pillows and pcs of bubble wrap, and knowing when to purchase shipping insurance protects your investment whether you’re sending a graphics card, hard drive, GPU, or complete desktop shipment through various shipping options.

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How To Measure a Box or Bag: Length, Width & Height

TLDR: Understanding how to measure a bag or box correctly is essential whether you’re selecting moving boxes for relocation, choosing packaging for shipping, or determining if items with bubble wrap will fit securely. The universal standard for box length width height follows a simple L x W x H format, making it easy to compare dimensions across different boxes and bags. Knowing these measurements helps ensure your items (from delicate products wrapped in bubble wrap to larger goods in moving boxes) fit safely with adequate usable space. This guide breaks down the measurement process into three straightforward steps, eliminating confusion when shopping for boxes and bags of any size.

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How Much Tulle is Needed to Make a Tutu?

TL;DR: The amount of tulle needed for a tutu depends on your desired length, fullness, number of layers, width of the tulle, and the wearer’s waist size. If you use wider tulle, you’ll need less yardage; for a no-sew tutu, double the strip length (waist to hem and back) and tie until it’s full. Adjust counts based on your construction method and how “poofy” you want the skirt.

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Shipping Pies in the Mail in 5 Easy Steps!

TLDR: Shipping pies requires careful packaging to ensure they arrive intact and fresh. This article outlines the essential steps and materials needed to successfully mail pies, including choosing the right shipping container, wrapping the pie properly, and selecting the best shipping method.

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